please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
My final pub in Kingston was the Queens Head. It's a fairly commercialised Fullers pub on the main road out of the town towards Richmond. It feels aimed towards diners and also offers accommodation. There were 4 handpulls, which were dispensing 3 Fullers beers - London Pride, Oliver's Island & Red Fox, in addition to Seacider Medium. I was really surprised to see Seacider in this place. I'm really hoping that Fullers have some kind of agreement with them, as it's one of my favourite ciders. Of the 6 pubs in Kingston I'd been to, this was only the second to have stocked a real cider. So at least I left happy!
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Nice bit of advertising going on here, i`d say.
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Just to back-up the two new posts below, I took my Dad there for Fathers Day a few weeks ago and was very pleasantly surprised by this Pub.
My Dad lives around the corner and has seen this Pub change names and Landlords over the years, I too from my younger years remember going there.
The Pub has had a complete refurb in both decor and layout. Very nice.
We ordered a Roast from the menu (1 Beef, 1 Pork and 2 Chicken) and the chef personally served us! He ensured that we were happy and then left us to a delightful meal. Top Marks!
I don't remember the cost of the bill however I do remember saying to myself 'Bloody Reasonable'!
I won't leave it so long next time to return to Queens Head ... And I reckon I know where to find my Dad should I not reach him at home :-)
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Just visited Kingston with my family and had the most wonderful Sunday Roast. Kids played in the enclosed patio garden whilst my wife and I enjoyed our food (10 out of 10 by the way) ... had a choice of Lamb, Chicken or Pork and by God was it good.
I've visited many Pubs in Kingston as I grew up there but visit family regularly. It was a refreshing experience coming into a tastefully decorated Pub and being welcomed by the staff. Well done whoever is the Landlord .... your going to get my business every time.
Yours, very happy indeed.
Nick
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I've always found this to be a pleasant place to spend time! It has it's flaws, as does anywhere, but it does seem to be trying hard. A lot of places seem to have become lazy. Tyhis one has a new garden and is constantly up-grading... I like it.
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Went to the Queen's Head Monday night to play the Quiz. Had a thoroughly great time. Just saw Claire Roberts' comment and I beg to differ. The landlady was the life and soul of the night. The landlord joined in on one of the teams and a great time was had by all! Good delicious more-ish food, a nice selection of drinks and an even better atmosphere. Definitely worth going!
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An attractive and welcoming pub that does just enough food to satisfy the casual eater without becoming just another gastro pub. The decor is fresh and modern and I've always found the staff welcoming. Not the best range of beers but there is usually a reasonable choice to make, such as the nice Hobgoblin that I had on my last visit.
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This pub was taken over when it was closed 3 years ago. It was in a state and was mainly red. Not a nice place. Since it was taken over it has been refurbished in an ongoing attempt to constantly improve, bearing in mind thid is just one chap and not a company. It has still got more to do but is holding out in the curent climate. It has gained the Cask Marque for ale quality, has appeared in the good beer guide for the last two years and has been featured in the Surrey Good Food Guide. Not bad really. It tries to maintain a relaxed atmosphere and keeps a good range of product. A large patio garden has just been added. Give it a try and let Thomas the landlord know what you think. He will always listen to peoples views.
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Ordinary and Bombardier plus Davenports Cloud 9. Central bar with plenty of space around it. Also a roomed billed as the snug. Not many in last night so difficult to judge the atmosphere. Ok.
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Has potential to be a nice pub, however hope of that is unfortunately ruined by the unpleasant atmosphere created when the landlord's wife (if that's who she in fact is) is around. On the 3 separate occasions I have been in passing and gone in for a drink, this woman was heard accusing a member of barstaff of stealing in front of customers. The second time I went in, she was arguing with who I imagine are the locals. The third, she and another girl were to be overheard being particularly malicious and derogatory. Very unprofessional, and not what one hopes for in what should be a relaxing and social atmosphere.
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Nearly went gastro a while back, a lucky escape, became a proper pub but in the modern style which means they actually clean the place and all kinds of people go there. Has been through a variety of names but manages to keep going while South Kingston is losing its pubs.
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Reasonable pub, although a bit too trendy for my personal taste. Five handpumps, but only two ales available on my visit. Beer quality (Ruddles County) was good though.
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Nice to see Liam is still of sound mind...
anonymous - 19 Nov 2007 16:42 |
Much more of a pub than it was a while back, now has four ales on tap including Flowers IPA, good atmosphere.
anonymous - 11 Oct 2007 10:26 |
Now reverted back to its original name 'The Queens Head' by a thoughtful new landlord. Good beer, good atmos. Nice change.
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Range of beers plus proper cider, pleasant barstaff, two large television screens, pool in a separate room and a dartboard (and how often do you see those around here, eh?). Has much improved from a year or so ago when it seemed determined to be yet another chichi and unfinished gastro bar.
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Since Thomas took over in April, it seems much improved from recent years, so I hope it keeps going. Boaters is now not so good so the Owl is busy and the real ales cannot be faulted!! Really good bar staff as well. A good place to be social with friends...
anonymous - 18 Dec 2006 11:44 |
Great pub, used to be our local, as we only lived a few yards down the road... 8/10
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I quiet like the place, although it always seems a little too quiet on occasion
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Bring back Eddie Ryan.
'nuf said...
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like the previous poster, i went in here recently prior to visiting the curry house over the road. the beer selection was good, the atmosphere very friendly and the bar staff couldn't be faulted. although only there for an hour or so, i must say i rather like the place and will definitely be returning. 8/10.
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I like the early-evening atmosphere there when having a couple of drinks waiting for my curry from across the road. Sadly the selection of bitters is very small and unispiring and that keeps me from going there for other than the curry run.
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This is one of my favourite pubs in Kingston. The staff are friendly and the food is tasty. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. Great for a weeknight out or a quieter weekend night out.
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Visited yesterday - good pint of Flowers IPA, ales are currently �1.99 each, friendly service. An improved pub - well done.
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To let sign on this one as well as the Oak
what is happening to these pubs just outside kingston on the Richmond Road. I Hope they don't suffer the same fate as those on the London Road :(
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Not my kind of pub no real ale and well err, erm...the staff was great, just a shame they weren't working in a nice pub...
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"This is not the Owl and the Pussycat you are looking for"
Went there last night with a few friends. I Was not impressed, Lacking in atmosphere (it was monday night), warmth (decor is seriously to blame) or Beers!.
Staff however, top notch.
I won't be visiting again except for meeting someone there. There are pubs much more to my personal taste in the area.
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The Adnam's Broadside was lovely last night. Apart from that, the place gives the impression of being unfinished.
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They had real ale when I was there - Brakspears. Relaxed sort of place as people have said, just up the road from the Grey Horse.
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good food and nice staff, just a lil expensive
Ed - 18 Nov 2004 13:23 |
Not a bad offering, the atmosphere was friendly and the decor was not unpleasant, even though I seemed to be seated on an office-style swivel chair. However, if pubs were judged on the state of their toilets, The Owl and Pussycat would never attract anyone for a second visit!
Parkhillian - 29 Oct 2004 16:26 |
Not a bad pub at all...but I agree with the last comment..it looks very inviting from the outside but parts of the inside are a bit drab and need some creativity to help warm it up..candles/white fairy lights?!
Claire - 1 Sep 2004 15:51 |
Went there on a Friday night. This could be the mythical pub with no Beer as they had neither real ale nor Guinness that evening. One assumes that had I stayed longer they would have run out of all beer.
Food was very average fare- reheated sausages(or at least it seemed that way to me)served in a side room with all the character of an old BR waiting room. Not good enough for a pub that from the outside sells itself very well.
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i used to work here in the kitchen and the food is very good. Staff and customers also pleasent and nice. very nice place for relaxed drinking with friends.
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Love this pub, chilled with good service, good wine and much better than all the pubs in the town centre.
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Not bad, had better
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Up and coming, a very unique bar/pub feel. The food is reasonably priced and top class. Get in and enjoy it before everybody finds out about it and the place gets mobbed all the time.
anonymous - 2 Feb 2004 04:27 |
went to this place on a friday night great place to go and chill have a few beers and get some great pub food!!! the staff are all friendly and willing to have a laugh and joke which is a rarety these days!!! great service and staropramen on tap what more could u want!?!
Brian - 30 Dec 2003 16:49 |
I ate here on Christmas Eve Lunchtime and I have to say everything was top drawer, service, food, drinks and atmosphere. Well done, 10/10. PK.
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to say this is a gastro pub may leave you disappointed. the pub looks good with great fires, but the food is 'pub grub' at very best (being generous). The brewery should bring back Stewart and his wife in my opinion, but still would favour this pub to many in the town centre.
JJ - 17 Nov 2003 02:12 |
lovely comfy local.. love the food and friendly relaxed atmosphere. Very busy when I was in there, but the service was still very good
fionnuala - 28 Oct 2003 10:21 |
Quality nice relaxing pub a change from the banging bars in kingston. Staff very friendly and helpfull.
Anthony - 23 Oct 2003 20:01 |
Whats happened to swiss tony the landlord at least he was a laugh,good 2 see the darts team are still there
dartanyon (spelt rite) - 18 Oct 2003 02:50 |
i visited the pub on thursday night , very plesent ,the real ale was the best i have tasted in years. i had fish and chips ,and also were very nice.i will be back soon if my mother lets me out.
seamusjoyce - 4 Oct 2003 16:27 |
The best pub in the area. Excellent food, great bar staff, friendly landlord who loves bowling and good all round atmosphere!
Bob-nc
Bob-nc - 18 Aug 2003 21:58 |
Food is expensive but well worth it. Meals there are absolutely delicious. Quite comfy and we found the service very good but then again it wasn't very busy.
Jimmy - 8 Aug 2003 18:47 |
I myself am an old customer from the sun inn in barnes; and since peter has left the sun it has gone seriously downhill with rude barstaff and a manager that looks like they are making one flew over cuckoos nest two. I like the owl the regulars are very friendly and within two visits new my name and my favourite tipple,also food good and its good to see a pub with a darts board,and staff with a friendly attitude.
biff 27th july 2003 - 27 Jul 2003 23:58 |
Just been refurbished and looking good.
Very good menu and fairly priced. Try the starter for two, excellent value for money.
Now run by the ex manager of the (late) Sun Inn, Barnes.
Gasto Pub that is worth a visit. Good background music.
Bill Starky
Bill Starky - 15 Jul 2003 21:36 |
My wife and I had a two course meal with two bottles of wine at The Owl and The Pussycat on Thursday and had a very pleasant visit all round.
Paul Cliff - 5 Jul 2003 09:08 |
Jane, you sound like an employee, wife or of Peter, but I did give it another go and......
the food is still not very good and the beer ISNT well kept. The fact that the aforementioned proprietor drinks Youngs himself does NOT guarantee well kept ale I am afraid.
Sloth - 4 Jul 2003 13:45 |
Peter Bull is the proprieter of the Owl and the Pussycat pub now. Peter used to manage The Sun Inn in Barnes for many years and was runner up for The Evening Standard Pub of The Year in 1996. He is also a past president of The National Association of Licenced House Managers and he is highly regarded and liked within the industry. To call him a cock is very unfair to a seasoned professional who is a qualified master of real ale. If you notice, he drinks Youngs bitter himself and therefore keeps it very well. As for the food, it's simply excellent and cooked to order, always. I'm sure Swiss Toni would be delighted to hear that he has been compared to Mr Bull.
Jane - 3 Jul 2003 11:18 |
You used to eat at the Pussycat, Sloth? You must have seriously tough guts, especially if you classify the ale as 'not well kept'! It's freaking lame, although it is nice to see Pilsner Urquell on draught. The manager is a cock though, he looks like Swoss Tony from the fast show....
David - 2 Jul 2003 15:55 |
Recently changed hands - food had nosedived - I got a piece of Findus frozen white fish in breadcrumbs when I ordered Fish and Chips - it used to be freshly battered cod. Ale is not well kept. Hope it improves again, I used to eat in there every week.
Sloth - 19 Jun 2003 17:05 |
Decent beer, good staff, likeable decor. Don't like the clear windows - makes it feel unfinished.
DeviousDave - 11 Feb 2003 12:18 |
Would be great, but it is just too smokey, and could do with some decent air-conditioning for the winter months when the door can't be open.
harry - 13 Jan 2003 17:40 |
Great promos! Free chilli con carne and rice on Thursdays!
Angel - 16 Oct 2002 00:47 |
Great open fire places and leather couches!
Blue - 16 Oct 2002 00:44 |
This is a very walm and inviting pub. suitable for all ages and families. Comfortable seating, great food menu avaliable everyday. propper home cooked food.
Sarah - 15 Oct 2002 16:48 |
